President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared, “We’ve turned the corner. The worst is over,” in his bold Independence Day address to the nation. His message was clear: hope is rising, and Nigeria is on a new path to prosperity.
As the country marked 65 years of independence, Tinubu didn’t sugarcoat the hardships Nigerians have faced since he took office in May 2023. Instead, he acknowledged them head-on, reaffirming that the economic reforms many once feared are now starting to bear real fruit.
“We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” he said, saluting Nigerians for their endurance and resilience.
Reform Today, Reward Tomorrow
From scrapping fuel subsidies to overhauling the foreign exchange system, the President outlined the bold steps taken to reset the economy and redirect resources to where they matter most: education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
Some highlights from his report card:
- GDP growth at 4.23% — fastest in 4 years
- Inflation down to 20.12% — lowest in 3 years
- Foreign reserves at $42.03 billion
- Tax-to-GDP ratio up to 13.5%
- Trade surplus for 5 straight quarters
- Oil production back at 1.68 million bpd
- Local refining restarts after 40 years
He pointed to the surge in non-oil exports (now 48% of total trade) and improved investor confidence as proof that the tough choices are paying off.
“We ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and unified the forex rates. The rentier economy is no more; we are building an economy that works for everyone.”
Security, Jobs & Youth Empowerment in Focus
On security, Tinubu said Nigeria is “winning the war” against terrorism and violent crime, with displaced communities returning home in the North-East, South-East, and North-West.
For Nigeria’s massive youth population, the President promised continued investment in education and entrepreneurship, highlighting:
- Over 500,000 students already benefiting from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund
- Youth credit schemes like Credicorp and YouthCred for housing and start-ups
- A $600 million iDICE programme to power the digital and creative economy
Building for the Future
He also outlined massive infrastructure investments underway — from rail and roads to ports and airports, including flagship projects like:
- The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- The Eastern Rail Corridor
In his words, “We must build the roads, repair the schools, and plan for the generations coming after us.”
Tackling Hunger & Cost of Living
Tinubu acknowledged that the cost of living and food inflation remain key concerns, but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving food security through increased agricultural production.
And under the national social investment programmed, ₦330 billion has already been disbursed to support over 8 million households.
“These reforms have caused temporary pains, yes, but the alternative was economic collapse. With God on our side, a prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is within reach.”
Here’s the Real Message:
President Tinubu wants Nigerians to stay the course. The ship has hit turbulent waters, but he insists the horizon is finally clearing.
As he put it:
“Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers.”
“Let us patronize Made-in-Nigeria.”
“Let all hands be on deck.”
What do you think, are you seeing the change around you? Do you believe the worst is behind us?
Join the conversation in the comments!
Share your thoughts, experiences, or even challenges; your voice matters.
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